Nevertheless, she hopes this announcement is not just a pre-election promise.

She says the country is slowly coming to the understanding that relations with diaspora is not a matter that can be resolved in a single day or year. This kind of matter should be planned years ahead.

«In a time when countries around the world compete for human resources and knowledge, and for us to be able to maintain Latvian education, identity and involvement in national economy, we require a far-reaching view. We hope this announcement is not just a pre-election promise, and we expect it to be reinforced in our budget plan,» Pinto says.

ELA Vice-President also notes that government representatives mentioned during the first European Latvians Congress that it is planned to increase funding to diaspora schools to support Latvian language within communities. According to her, it is a major promise.

Pinto explains that funding for the diaspora is mentioned year after year as part of new political initiatives, and every year the diaspora has to compete with different ministries for funding.

«For example, the diaspora is not on the priority list of Culture Ministry. If this competition persists all the time, it costs a lot of resources and denies diaspora organizations the ability to offer sustainable solutions to help realize the government’s wishes. If sustainable and far-reaching plans are established, we will be able to reach a strategic agreement with the government as to where money goes and how to use it more efficiently,» Pinto says.

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As an example, the Latvian government could start by applying the limited portability of unemployment benefits to other EU countries with a tiny bit of flexibility. That is suggested (but not required) by the relevant EU directive.

My girlfriend has contributed for years to the Latvian social security system. She recently lost her job and is now moving in with me in western Europe. Her right to taking her unemployment benefits is being refused because she did not stay in Latvia for 4 weeks after losing her job. She started a language course over here to increase her chances of employability right away, and she’s getting punished for that.

This gained the Latvian government a grand total of…. 900€. It lost the heart of a very capable master degree educated patriotic Latvian emigre. Penny wise, pound foolishy.

Let me know when the Latvian government starts treating its people with respect. Also, let me know when oligarchs and kleptocrats are driven from power.

My girlfriend and I both love Latvia and call ourselves real patriots. And we both are disgusted by the current Latvian government. That’s why we are still fighting for a better Latvia, from abroad. We decided that supporting investigative journalism and similar transparency measures from western Europe would be our contribution.

Data compiled by International Data Corporation shows: every third illegally downloaded software programme is infected with malicious software. Nevertheless, 69% of consumers and 33% of businesses in Europe procure computers with software from unsafe sources.

Higher prices of oil have allowed the Russian economy to recover despite European Union's and U.S. sanctions and in time to benefit the Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has secured his next term in office.

In 2017, there were 17.0 thousand job vacancies in Latvia, which was 2.6 thousand vacancies or 17.9 % more than in 2016. In public sector there were 6.1 thousand job vacancies van in private sector 10.9 thousand vacancies.

Cosmetics producers in Latvia export products worth EUR 20 million every year. Volumes increase 5% every year. The main export partner states are located in Europe. Still, there has been a significant increase of export volumes to third countries – to some countries this increase was as large as 60% -70%, according to data from Latvian Cosmetic Manufacturers Association.

American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (ACCL): «We are concerned that Latvian society’s and its government’s political culture has not changed much since the publication of information detailing events associated with Ridzene talks in 2009-2011. The state capture detailed there may still be possible...

On Monday, 19 March, weather in Latvia will change, as a low atmospheric pressure area together with an atmospheric front will approach the country from the north. The day will be sunny for the most part, but the amount of clouds will increase as hours go by, as reported by State Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.

In a reaction to Russia's announcement that it would expel 23 British diplomats from Moscow as part of the UK-Russia argument over poisoning of double-agent in an English city, Ukrainian Foreign Minister has suggested to his British counterpart that the 23 diplomats could now work in Ukraine.

Aivars Lembergs, who is accused of serious crimes and is currently suspended from his post as chairman of Ventspils City Council, had proposed his candidacy for the post of prime minister of Latvia multiple times in the past. The moment has come at long last when Lembergs will not be an official candidate for the aforementioned post, as BNN was told by the leader of Union of Greens and Farmers’ Saeima faction Augusts Brigmanis.

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Administrative District Court has compiled a shortened ruling, in which it rejected Latvian Anti-Nazi Committee’s application and preserved the decision imposed by Riga City acting CEO on 13 March 2018 on establishing restrictions on the planned gathering and protest act for 16 March unchanged.